Key Statistics and Mapping of the Four Local Areas

Impacts 08 Team Dr Beatriz García, Director Ruth Melville, Programme Manager Kate Rodenhurst, Research Assistant Peter Campbell, Programme Assistant Sonia McEwan, Programme Assistant

Document Reference: Impacts 08 (November 2008) LAS Key Statistics and Mapping

Local Area Studies – Key Statistics and Mapping of the Four Local Areas

November 2008

Impacts 08 is a joint programme of the University of Liverpool and Liverpool John Moores University Commissioned by Liverpool City Council

Impacts 08 | LAS Key Statistics and Mapping | November 2008 Contents

1. Overview location map of study areas ...... 3 2. Key Statistics ...... 4 2.1. Key Statistics for Area 1: Southern City Centre/Riverside/Ropewalks ...... 4 2.2. Key Statistics for Area 2: Kirkdale/Scotland Road ...... 6 2.3. Key Statistics for Area 3: Knotty Ash ...... 8 2.4. Key statistics for Area 4: Aigburth ...... 10 3. Mapping of the four local areas ...... 12 3.1. Mapping of Area 1 (within City Centre) ...... 12 3.2. Mapping of Area 2 (within Kirkdale area) ...... 14 3.3. Mapping of Area 3 (within Knotty Ash) ...... 16 3.4. Mapping of Area 4 (within Aigburth) ...... 18

2 Impacts 08 - The Liverpool Model, European Capital of Culture Research Programme www.impacts08.net Impacts 08 | LAS Key Statistics and Mapping | November 2008

1. Overview location map of study areas

3 Impacts 08 - The Liverpool Model, European Capital of Culture Research Programme www.impacts08.net Impacts 08 | LAS Key Statistics and Mapping | November 2008

2. Key Statistics

2.1. Key Statistics for Area 1: Southern City Centre/Riverside/Ropewalks

Impacts 08 - The Liverpool Model, European Capital of Culture Research Programme www.impacts08.net Impacts 08 | LAS Key Statistics and Mapping | November 2008 Area 1: Southern City Centre/Riverside/Ropewalks

E White

D Mixed Location The maps above show the first location for the local area studies. Area 1 C2 Asian contains locations such as the FACT centre, Central Station and Chinatown.

Its northern boundary follows Church Street and Lord Street, and its C1 Black southern boundary extends down to Parliament Street, ending in the area around Stanhope Street. It is composed of 2 lower Super Output Areas in the city centre– Liverpool 033A and 037B. AB Chinese/Other

0.0% 5.0% 10.0% 15.0% 20.0% 25.0% 30.0% 35.0% 0.0% 20.0% 40.0% 60.0% 80.0% 100.0%

Deprivation The average Index of Multiple Deprivation score for this area is 68.45. Social Grade Ethnicity The weighted average for Liverpool is 58.05. This chart shows that, although the most prevalent social grade in Area 1 is From this chart we can see that Area 1 is more ethnically diverse than either grade E, the proportion of those in grade AB is higher than that in the city as Liverpool or England as a whole. This area has approximately an 80% white (The southern section of Area 1, SOA 37B, has an IMD of 79.42, the 29th a whole, demonstrating a very diverse populace. population - England has a 90% white population, and Liverpool 95%. most deprived area in England and Wales)

0-9 Population NVQ 4/5 The total population of this area is around 2,200. The make-up of this 10-19 population is detailed below and right. NVQ 3 20-29

30-39 NVQ 2 Sex 40-49 The table below shows that males are over-represented in Area 1. NVQ 1 50-59 60-69 None Area 1 Liverpool England 70+ Male 50.4% 47.7% 48.7% 0.0% 10.0% 20.0% 30.0% 40.0% 50.0% 0.0% 5.0% 10.0% 15.0% 20.0% 25.0% Female 49.6% 52.3% 51.3%

Skills Age Key to Graphs From this chart we can see that in Area 1 the level of people with no In Area 1, the proportion of the population aged between 20-29 is relatively qualifications is well above the national average, and slightly above the city high (20%, compared to 15% across the city as a whole), and this is average. At lower levels, the levels of qualification follow the city and balanced by under-representation in the age groups under 20. national trends, remaining below the average, yet at higher levels the amount of people achieving qualifications is in fact higher than the national average.

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2.2. Key Statistics for Area 2: Kirkdale/Scotland Road

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Area 2: Kirkdale/Scotland Road

E White

Location D Mixed The maps above show the second location for the local area studies. Area

2 is located within the wards covered by the Sefton/Liverpool Enterprise C2 Asian Growth Initiative. Its eastern boundary runs along Great Homer Street up towards Everton Valley, and at the south it covers Scotland Road and C1 Black Kingsway. It is composed of 2 lower Super Output Areas in the city centre – Liverpool 022A and C. AB Chinese/Other

0.0% 10.0% 20.0% 30.0% 40.0% 50.0% 0.0% 20.0% 40.0% 60.0% 80.0% 100.0% Deprivation The average Index of Multiple Deprivation score for this area is 79.40. Ethnicity The weighted average for Liverpool is 58.05. Social Grade From this chart we can see that Area 2 is more ethnically homogenous than This chart shows that the most prevalent social grade in Area 2 is by far either Liverpool or England as a whole, with a 97.8% white population SOA 022C, has an IMD of 79.23, the 27th most deprived area in England grade E (43%), followed by grade D. The proportion of those in the higher and Wales. SOA 022A is ranked 34th. social grades is very low, with 5.3% in grade AB, compared to 15.2% in Liverpool as a whole, and 22.2% nationally.

Population

The total population of this area is around 3,000. The make-up of this 0-9 population is detailed below and right. NVQ 4/5 10-19 NVQ 3 20-29

Sex 30-39 The table below shows that the sex ratio of the population in this area NVQ 2 40-49 broadly matches national levels. NVQ 1 50-59 Area 2 Liverpool England 60-69 None Male 48.8% 47.7% 48.7% 70+ Female 51.2% 52.3% 51.3% 0.0% 10.0% 20.0% 30.0% 40.0% 50.0% 60.0% 70.0% 0.0% 2.0% 4.0% 6.0% 8.0% 10.0% 12.0% 14.0% 16.0% 18.0%

Key to Graphs Skills Age In Area 2, the proportion of the population aged over 40 is higher than the From this chart we can see that the majority of people in Area 2 have no qualifications (63.2% - over double the national average). The relative city or national averages, increasingly so as we move above 60 (28% of proportion of the population achieving qualifications is below the city and residents are over 60). This is balanced by under-representation in the age national averages at all levels, especially at the highest levels. groups under 40, more so in the very youngest categories.

Impacts 08 - The Liverpool Model, European Capital of Culture Research Programme www.impacts08.net Impacts 08 | LAS Key Statistics and Mapping | November 2008 2.3. Key Statistics for Area 3: Knotty Ash

Impacts 08 - The Liverpool Model, European Capital of Culture Research Programme www.impacts08.net Impacts 08 | LAS Key Statistics and Mapping | November 2008 Area 3: Knotty Ash

Location E White

The maps above show the third location for the local area studies. Area 3 is D Mixed located in Knotty Ash, towards the outer edges of Liverpool‟s boundary with

Knowsley. To the east of this area is Dovecot Park, to the west is C2 Asian Broadgreen Hospital and the northern boundary is partly marked by East Prescot Road. This area is composed of 2 lower Super Output Areas – C1 Black Liverpool 026A and D.

AB Chinese/Other

Deprivation 0.0% 5.0% 10.0% 15.0% 20.0% 25.0% 30.0% 35.0% 0.0% 20.0% 40.0% 60.0% 80.0% 100.0% The average Index of Multiple Deprivation score for this area is 55.86.

The weighted average for Liverpool is 58.05. Social Grade Ethnicity The relative ranking of these areas is fairly mixed, 026A being 584th, 026B This chart shows that the most prevalent social grade in Area 3 is grade E From this chart we can see that Area 3 is slightly more ethnically being 2784th in England and Wales (out of 34,378 areas in total) (33.2%), followed by grade C1 (23.1%). The proportion of those in the homogenous than either Liverpool or England as a whole, with a 96.6% higher social grades is relatively low, with 10.7% in grade AB, compared to white population 15.2% in Liverpool as a whole, and 22.2% nationally. Population The total population of this area is around 3,000. The make-up of this population is detailed below and right. 0-9 NVQ 4/5 10-19 Sex NVQ 3 20-29 30-39 The table below shows that the male population is slightly lower in Area 3 NVQ 2 than at a city or national level. 40-49

NVQ 1 50-59 Area 3 Liverpool England 60-69 Male 46.7% 47.7% 48.7% None Female 53.3% 52.3% 51.3% 70+ 0.0% 10.0% 20.0% 30.0% 40.0% 50.0% 0.0% 5.0% 10.0% 15.0% 20.0%

Key to Graphs Skills Age From this chart we can see that a very high proportion of people in Area 3 In Area 3, compared with city and national levels, the most over-represented have no qualifications (47.6%). age group is in the 70+ bracket, with 17.5% of the population being over 70. The relative proportion of the population achieving qualifications is below This is balanced by a relative under-representation of the younger age the city and national averages at all levels. brackets (e.g. 0-9 and 20-29 in particular).

Impacts 08 - The Liverpool Model, European Capital of Culture Research Programme www.impacts08.net Impacts 08 | LAS Key Statistics and Mapping | November 2008

2.4. Key statistics for Area 4: Aigburth

Impacts 08 - The Liverpool Model, European Capital of Culture Research Programme www.impacts08.net Impacts 08 | LAS Key Statistics and Mapping | November 2008 Area 4: Aigburth

E White

Location D Mixed The maps above show the final location for the local area studies. Area 4 covers the area around Aigburth station, extending to Otterspool C2 Asian Park in the west, south to the River Mersey and running slightly beyond Aigburth Road to the north. C1 Black It is composed of 2 lower Super Output Areas– Liverpool 056A and B.

AB Chinese/Other

Deprivation 0.0% 5.0% 10.0% 15.0% 20.0% 25.0% 30.0% 35.0% 40.0% 0.0% 20.0% 40.0% 60.0% 80.0% 100.0% The average Index of Multiple Deprivation score for this area is 20.22.

The weighted average for Liverpool is 58.05. Social Grade Ethnicity This chart shows that Area 4 is dominated by the higher social grades, with From this chart we can see that the relative size of the white population in The England and Wales ranking for this area is much lower than in other over 70% of the population being in the ABC1 groups. The proportion of Area 4 is slightly greater than either Liverpool or England as a whole, with nd st areas - SOA 056A ranking 12,372 , 056B ranking 15,081 . those in the lower social grade is considerably lower than the average city no significant representation of any other ethnic group. levels.

Population The total population of this area is around 2,800. The make-up of this 0-9 population is detailed below and right. NVQ 4/5 10-19

Sex NVQ 3 20-29 30-39 The table above shows that Area 4 has a similar breakdown by sex as the NVQ 2 city as a whole. 40-49

NVQ 1 50-59 Area 4 Liverpool England Male 47.4% 47.7% 48.7% 60-69 None Female 52.6% 52.3% 51.3% 70+ 0.0% 5.0% 10.0% 15.0% 20.0% 25.0% 30.0% 35.0% 40.0% 0.0% 2.0% 4.0% 6.0% 8.0% 10.0% 12.0% 14.0% 16.0% 18.0%

Key to Graphs Skills Age From this chart we can see that in Area 4 the level of people with no Compared to the city and national averages, the proportion qualifications is much lower than the national average or city average, and of the population aged under 40 is relatively low that there is a very high proportion with the highest level of qualification (56% in Liverpool, 53% in England, and 45% in Area 4), with the most (35.8%). prevalent groups being those aged 40-49 (17%) and over 70 (14.5%).

Impacts 08 - The Liverpool Model, European Capital of Culture Research Programme www.impacts08.net Impacts 08 | LAS Key Statistics and Mapping | November 2008

3. Mapping of the four local areas

3.1. Mapping of Area 1

3.1.1. Description The area is in the South Central part of the city and includes Liverpool‟s Chinatown and the „Ropewalks‟ area, as well as a large section of the city centre‟s shopping area and a significant segment of its cultural industries. Notable features of this area include the Albert Dock area complex, the Chavasse Park development, the FACT (Foundation for Art and Creative Technology), the „Blackie‟ community arts centre, a section of Liverpool Community College, the Pagoda Chinese community centre and the Bluecoat arts centre, as well as a large number of prominent civic buildings such as the law courts, fire station and police head quarters. In the immediate vicinity are the majority of the city‟s cultural attractions including theatres and museums.

Although Area 1 encompasses one of the city‟s main shopping areas, there is a lack of smaller „corner shops‟. However, there are two smaller, „metro‟-style supermarkets close by, and within the area there is a Chinese supermarket as well as other Chinese shops. There are a number of outlets for leisure activities, including FACT, which is a cinema and arts centre, and a wide range of bars, cafes and restaurants. However, most of the local pubs that previously served the residential area have either been redeveloped or closed. The main centres for community activities are „The Blackie‟, which is a local community arts centre of long standing, and the Pagoda Chinese community centre. The only green space is a bowling green and open grassed area, with a small playground near to the St James community centre and the health centre. The Greenville young people‟s centre is not open, and the adjacent adventure playground is closed. The area also contains the Gustav Adolfus Kyrka or Swedish Seamen's Church, the Liverpool Chinese Gospel church and St James and St Vincent‟s churches. There is also St Vincent‟s primary school and a commercial nursery on Duke Street. As might be expected, Area 1 has extensive travel links to areas within and outside the city. The recently built bus station at Paradise Street is within this area, as is Central train station.

The housing in the area is split into two distinct types: the first, located in the area around Chinatown and in the vicinity of Great George Street, was built as public sector housing and is mostly owned by social landlords. Nearly all houses are occupied and in reasonable condition, although there are a significant number of derelict properties in the area towards Great George Street. The second type of accommodation consists of flats in the area from Wood Street to Duke Street, including East Village and the Arts Village; these are mostly recent developments, with varying levels of occupation, and in the main appear to be owned by private landlords or owner occupiers. (There are a small number of flats in other parts of the area, mostly above shops or businesses, but they do not constitute a significant amount of the housing stock. A limited amount of sheltered housing also exists, including a scheme for Chinese elders.)

There is an industrial area between Park Lane and the docks, containing a number of manufacturing businesses and offices, although a significant portion of the buildings are unoccupied or derelict. The area is also home to a large number of creative industries, particularly around Duke Street, Wood Street and the bottom of Hanover Street, including printers, graphic designers, art material suppliers, web designers, performance arts companies, studios and performance space, as well as a radio media project. There is widespread redevelopment and regeneration in the area, ranging from housing-based projects around Chinatown and Duke Street, to the large scale retail project at Chavasse Park.

3.1.2. Key informants’ perceptions of the area This description is based on interviews with one city councillor for the area, the neighbourhood manager, the previous vice-chair of the L1 Partnership (and longstanding resident), the project co-ordinator for the Pagoda, and another resident and member of the L1 Partnership.

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3.1.3. The neighbourhood This area is made up of at least three different communities; it is the home of the oldest Chinese community in Europe, and although the community is now widely dispersed across Liverpool and other parts of Merseyside, Chinatown still acts as its focal point with shopping facilities, the Liverpool Chinese Gospel church, Chinese business association and Chinese school. The actual Chinese population is quite small and is mostly in rented property; the majority of younger people have left the area, although there has been a recent influx of refugees and asylum seekers, and also some students. This is said to still be an insular community, with language a significant barrier in respect of integration for older people and new arrivals.

There is also another working class community, one of the oldest in the city and said to be the „original melting pot of south Liverpool’; a significant proportion of this community have been decanted out of the area with the demolishing of the council tenements some years previously, many would want to return and still retain links with it. The community was described as „being in decline’; those residents that remain have a strong association with the area, a significant number are older people who occupy bungalows and housing along Park Lane. It is suggested that this is also a very insular, parochial and inward looking community, with a low level of community activism and one that is „remarkably passive.‟

The final important group are the residents of the new apartments in East Village and surrounding warehouse developments; this is a relatively transient population made up of largely of young professionals, students and people in receipt of benefits, there are few owner occupiers and a large proportion of the property is empty and unoccupied. In most senses this grouping can not be described as a community and there is little evidence of any particular identification with the area.

3.1.4. How local people see themselves The Chinese community see themselves as part of the wider Chinese community and not in the main part of the local community, although leading members, primarily not from the area, play a part in the L1 Partnership and other similar initiatives. This community would not see itself as particularly disadvantaged or privileged.

In the other longstanding community in the area, there is said to be a lot of resentment about what has happened with the „Ropewalks‟ development and a feeling of being left out, some of which is directed at the residents in the new flats. Criminal elements in the community have, it is thought, been responsible for a number of burglaries and a spate of car crime that has been targeted at this particular area. This community has been described as being dependent, with a significant level of worklessness and of seeing itself as disadvantaged compared with other parts of the city, and in relation to the newcomers who live in the apartments.

3.1.5. Key issues and concerns The growth in the night time economy in the area is a source of friction and said to make „peoples lives a misery‟ for those living closest to the new bars and restaurants, particularly given extended licensing hours. There are also problems associated with people being decanted from the southern part of the area, with those remaining being isolated and more vulnerable to anti-social behaviour. A Liverpool 1 postcode was in the past sufficient to make car insurance impossible, and the area was viewed as a high crime area. This reputation is no longer justified and reported crime is relatively low.

The level of worklessness among the original community in the area was identified as an important issue, with one interviewee suggesting there was also a „thriving black economy’. A potentially related issue comes from the observation that many longstanding residents have poor communication skills and low self esteem. The lack of amenities was also singled out as a concern for local people, including the loss of youth provision, local post office and shops and places to socialise.

The need for affordable family housing for rent was also identified as a great need. However, the opportunity to be re-housed in some of the expensive warehouse loft apartments in the Arts Village was rejected by the

Impacts 08 - The Liverpool Model, European Capital of Culture Research Programme www.impacts08.net Impacts 08 | LAS Key Statistics and Mapping | November 2008 great majority of the single people from Great George Street. People wanted to be re-housed in their immediate area, even though this would be not as good; local people were said to be territorial with a very conservative culture.

3.1.6. What is there to do in the area? Even though the area is on the edge of the city‟s main social and cultural attractions, local people tend not to make use of these. There are a couple of remaining pubs in the area, but in the main people go outside the area for a „drink‟. Residents in the warehouse apartments and new flats in East Village and the Arts Village are much more likely to socialise in the adjoining city centre and make use of its amenities than other residents, including young people. The Pagoda provides a focal point for social activities for the Chinese community, there is no equivalent for the other communities in the area. While the Blackie does provide activities for some of the area‟s young people, the closure of the local youth centre was seen as important and related to the level of anti-social behaviour among young people.

3.1.7. Relation to the wider city Given its proximity to the city centre, there is perhaps a surprising lack of a relationship with the wider city for the majority of residents; it was suggested that people from the local community were reluctant to take employment in the bars, restaurants and shops in the city centre. The Chinese residents‟ social and cultural life is focused on their neighbourhood, with little involvement outside of the area. The likelihood is that those young professionals occupying the new apartments work in the city centre and in some cases may be employed in the specific study area itself.

3.1.8. Impact of the ECoC The „Four Corners‟ project has had a significant negative impact on how local people regard the ECoC, particularly those active in the community; in part this stems from the failure to invite local people to the launch event and the cost associated with this, but it is also linked to a lack of engagement with the local community in the work produced, to the extent that residents in the immediate vicinity knew nothing about it. There was criticism of the Culture Company and civic leadership that went beyond this event, including the Mathew Street debacle and not investing in creating education and training opportunities for local people. There was also recognition of some positive impacts, however, such as the involvement of Chinese young people in the „Making Waves‟ project. It was also suggested the Chinese business community had in general failed to take advantage of the opportunities that the ECoC presented.

The most important factor that is having an impact on the area is the housing development around Great George Street of 400 to 500 units; this will to some extent change the composition of the local community and is geared much more to creating a stable community than other developments in the area. This initiative, which will also bring new bars and restaurants, is seen as helping bring the area „back to life’ and will effectively extend the city centre to encompass Liverpool 1.

3.2. Mapping of Area 2

3.2.1. Description Located within wards covered by the Sefton/Liverpool Growth Initiative to the north of the city centre, Area 2 comprises parts of Vauxhall and Kirkdale. The busy arterial roads running through the area are a prominent feature and these are characterised by the number of boarded-up and disused shops, pubs and other commercial properties, particularly on Stanley and Scotland Roads and Great Homer Street. There is little, if any, green space, although the area does border Everton Park, which is also the location of a large sports centre and swimming pool. As well as Everton Park Sports Centre, Sandhills Bridge Sports and Recreation Ground also borders the area, and there is another sports centre close by within the Eldonian Village in Vauxhall. Sports facilities within the area include the Rotunda Boxing club and the Lambeth Road Gym, along with a few 5-a-side football pitches and outdoor play areas in varying condition.

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There are now only a small number of shops in the area and a few local cafes. At one time there were a large number of pubs, but with a few exceptions these are now closed. There are no large shopping facilities and the shopping arcade on Great Homer Street is now mostly unoccupied. A new NSPCC centre has been built on the site of the old indoor market on Great Homer Street, but an outdoor market („Paddy‟s market‟) still attracts shoppers and traders at weekends in the adjacent roads. Project Jennifer is planned as a new district centre that will occupy this immediate area. There are good bus routes linking Area 2 with the city centre, County Road and Walton Vale.

Community facilities include the Fountains Road Sure Start Children‟s Centre, which lies within the Kirkdale part of the area, while the Vauxhall Sure Start Children‟s Centre is just outside the boundary. There are a number of schools adjoining the area, but only one primary school actually within its boundaries; the Rotunda College is located just outside by Stanley Road. There is also a nursery within the Vauxhall Millennium Centre, which is an important community resource as it is also the base for the Vauxhall Neighbourhood Council (VNC) and law centre (which also owns the close by Vauxhall Multi-purpose Centre). The League of Well Doers also runs the Lee Jones Community Centre in the area. Other facilities in the area include the Limekiln Lane Medical Centre, which is a large health centre with an attached pharmacy, and the Stanley Medical Centre both within the area. There are several libraries either within, or adjoining the area, several churches, and a police station. The Community Justice Centre has quite recently been located in a disused school within Vauxhall.

There are range of industrial units within the area between Scotland Road and Great Homer Street containing a mix of commercial and small industrial enterprises, although the area is otherwise predominantly residential.

The housing stock is largely council built, some of which has been improved, or is relatively new, and is now owner occupied. There are significant pockets of dereliction, mostly towards the Kirkdale portion of the area and the Easby estate, which is very run down and the site of a housing regeneration initiative. The southern section contains a number of new build properties, nearly all blocks of flats, some of which are unoccupied and available to rent. There is also some sheltered accommodation.

3.2.2. Key informants’ perceptions of the area This description is based on interviews with one of the ward councillors for the area, the chief executive of the Vauxhall Neighbourhood Council and the manager for the neighbourhood management team.

3.2.3. The neighbourhood To a large extent this area can be viewed as a series of smaller and distinct neighbourhoods, whose boundaries were based on those of the local parishes such as St Anthony‟s, St Sylvester‟s and Holy Cross; this also points to a religious and cultural divide between Catholic Vauxhall and Protestant Everton, an Orange and Green tradition that still survives, although in a much more muted form. Changes in ward boundaries create some confusion as to whether parts of the area between Scotland Road and Great Homer Street are in Vauxhall or Everton; in respect of community organisation this is still viewed as part of the VNC‟s area, with Great Homer Street the border with Everton.

The Kirkdale part of the area represents less of a defined neighbourhood, in part because of the extent to which it has been depopulated, although it never had the strong sense of community and identity found in the other parts of the area. The Easby Road estate would be viewed as an identifiable neighbourhood and one that will become re-established after redevelopment.

3.2.4. How local people see themselves Local people may in the first instance identify themselves as coming from a particular neighbourhood and then, for people in the Vauxhall area, as „Scotland Roaders‟ and for other parts of the area as „North Enders.‟ There is a strong identification with the area, combined with a sense of pride and also a feeling that outsiders look down on the area and people from it. In part this can be seen as stemming from the high level of

Impacts 08 - The Liverpool Model, European Capital of Culture Research Programme www.impacts08.net Impacts 08 | LAS Key Statistics and Mapping | November 2008 community organisation and activism particularly in the 60‟s and 70‟s, the fact that the area has seen the full spectrum of European, national and local regeneration, antipoverty and social exclusion initiatives since then and yet still has among the highest levels of multiple-deprivation in the country.

3.2.5. Key issues and concerns The sense that this is an area that has not been fairly treated given the extent to which it is disadvantaged and the material impact of deprivation on people‟s lives in terms of health, education, employment opportunities and housing and environment are the key issues that concern local people and that have a relatively distinctive nature compared with other areas. However, it is unlikely that most local people would articulate this feeling of being disadvantaged in these terms, instead it is more likely to be expressed as feeling looked down upon and being labelled and having to fight to get things for the area. Even so, this is still largely an area where people want to remain and, unlike in the past when young people had to move out if they wanted to set up home, new affordable housing meant they were able to stay.

Although not as extensive as it was, there is still a significant amount of community activity fuelled by a sense of injustice and the degree to which the area has „lost out‟, partly due to local and even national politics being played out concerning the area.

Worklessness was identified as a major issue for the area, which offers few opportunities for employment, where people were in work, this was usually outside the area.

3.2.6. What is there to do in the area? The area‟s closeness to the city centre means that young people in particular gravitate there for socialising, while older people are more likely to frequent the few remaining pubs and parochial clubs, or the VNC‟s own bar. The area has lost its youth clubs and this was seen as a significant issue in respect of anti-social behaviour, the suggestion was also made that Everton Park Sports Centre tended to act as a focal point for sport in the north of the city and staged a range of sporting events, which meant local people made less use of it.

3.2.7. Impact of the ECoC The Rotunda was a focus for cultural activity, tied into the north Liverpool cultural committee and plans to develop a „people‟s pavilion‟. The „Four Corners‟ project had involved people from the area and other ECoC activities had happened around, although not necessarily in, the area. That said the degree of engagement with the Culture Company and the impact of the ECoC on the area so far is viewed as quite limited. There was some criticism of not recognising that engagement has to happen from the „bottom-up‟ and through local structures and also of working within „safe‟ areas, although it was hoped this might change over the next 12 months. Comment was also made on the failure to create apprenticeships in the cultural industries that would leave a legacy.

3.3. Mapping of Area 3

3.3.1. Description Area 3 is located near to the city‟s outer boundary with Knowsley. Broadgreen Hospital is a notable feature, as it occupies a substantial physical area and has an impact on the immediate locality in terms of access and parking. Alder Hey Hospital is also in fairly close proximity. There are two schools, (Knotty Ash County Primary and Broadgreen Community Comprehensive), and an SEN College (Clifford Holroyde School). In addition the St Margaret Mary Catholic School is located just outside of the area. The Church of the Holy Spirit, Calvary Church and Dovecot Church are the main churches, and there is a religious order housed in Thingwall House.

The area provides reasonable shopping facilities, with two supermarkets and a range of smaller shops, as well as further mixed shopping nearby. There are a small number of places to eat, and there is a bingo hall adjacent to the area as well as a number of pubs, but no other apparent recreational facilities. It is well served

Impacts 08 - The Liverpool Model, European Capital of Culture Research Programme www.impacts08.net Impacts 08 | LAS Key Statistics and Mapping | November 2008 by transport links along the main arterial roads, although the nearest railway station is some distance away at Broad Green. The area contains the Dovecot Community Centre and the attached Eastern Link Centre, as well as Dovecot MAC (Multi-Activity Centre), which provides youth activities and houses the Air Training Corps. There is also a youth club on the area‟s border at East Prescot Road and a church youth club in Thomas Lane.

The housing stock in the area generally appears to be well maintained, with minimal vacant or derelict property. There are few signs of significant redevelopment or regeneration, although several high rise tower blocks are in the process of being converted into sheltered accommodation. A large amount of the housing would appear to be council or former council stock, with a few new build maisonettes, and a section of more affluent semi-detached housing close to the south western edge. Area 3 is reasonably well provided for in terms of open green space, with Broadgreen Park, a large sports ground, several bowling greens and a number of allotment plots. There are a number of retirement homes and sheltered accommodation facilities being built, or already in existence.

3.3.2. Key informants’ perceptions of the area This description is based on interviews with one of the area‟s ward councillors, the team leader of the neighbourhood management team and the chair of a local community organisation.

3.3.3. The neighbourhood People in the area relate to smaller neighbourhoods, based round housing estates and more localised areas such as Dovecot and Sandfield Park; Knotty Ash has gained notoriety through Ken Dodd and the „Jam Buttie mines‟ and some local residents may say they come from Knotty Ash because it is recognised through this connection. Apart from this, there is no strong association with the area or particular sense of community, although there is a degree of parochialism between the smaller neighbourhoods, some of which is based on perceived class differences. The level of community organisation does not compare with other parts of the city, a fact attributed to it being relatively more affluent, however there is community activity including the „Friends of Dovecot Park‟, which has received support from the social landlord and the neighbourhood management team. There has been fundraising activity in the area for the youth club in Knotty Ash, and more recently the development of a charitable project to develop Thingwall House as a facility for disabled young people and a woodland area for the local community.

3.3.4. How local people see themselves Generally local residents would not regard themselves as either disadvantaged or in a privileged position compared with the rest of the city, although there are some small pockets of relative deprivation, and also some more affluent parts.

3.3.5. Key issues and concerns There are few issues that stand out as distinctive to this area; anti-social behaviour by young people around Dovecot is said to be a significant problem. Environmental issues are a prominent concern including poor street lighting, street cleaning. In the main the issues raised are connected to the redevelopment of Alder Hey such as road resurfacing and parking, the latter being the main concern as employees of the hospital will park in surrounding streets to avoid the car parking fee charged by the hospital making it impossible for local residents to park outside of their own properties.

3.3.6. What there is to do in the area? Mostly people socialise in their immediate locality and do not travel into town; it is suggested that the cost of travel is a factor in relation to this, and the fact that Old Swan is a popular place for local people to shop, therefore not having to travel into the city centre. The suggestion was also made that there was a lack of activities for older and younger people alike in the area.

Impacts 08 - The Liverpool Model, European Capital of Culture Research Programme www.impacts08.net Impacts 08 | LAS Key Statistics and Mapping | November 2008

3.3.7. Relationship to the city There is said to be little employment in the immediate area, although the local hospitals and supermarkets provide some employment opportunities, otherwise people are likely to work in the city centre and other areas.

3.3.8. Impact of the ECoC The observation was made that the impact of the ECoC on the area has been negligible and that it was missing out, with everything focused on the city centre. There had been some summer music events in Dovecot Park, which it was thought might have been something to do with the ECoC and it was also suggested that the possible development at Thingwall House was being funded as part of it. However, there appears to be little involvement of local people, limited promotion being a factor in this. There was some feeling that this might improve over the next 12 months and a suggestion made that people from the area could be „bussed‟ in to events and activities in the city.

3.4. Mapping of Area 4

3.4.1. Description The area is located in the south side of the city and is bisected by Aigburth Road, a main arterial route between the city centre and Runcorn/M56. Aigburth Road dominates the area, providing a home to nearly all of the local businesses and shops. Notable features include the area‟s schools: St Margaret‟s C of E High School for Boys and the Mersey View School (as well as the adjacent Sudley Junior School); and the local churches: St Anne‟s Church and the Aigburth Methodist Church. There is also at least one reasonably sized children‟s nursery in the area. The IM Marsh campus of Liverpool John Moores University and Liverpool Cricket Club provide distinctive local landmarks.

Area 4 has a number of small shops, but no large supermarkets or similar retail outlets, although these are within easy travelling distance given the good road and transport links – several bus routes provide travel in and out of the city centre on a regular basis, and there is a local train station with a frequent service. The area only has one pub, although this is large and is adjacent to a „Travel Lodge‟ hotel, and the Cricket Club and the Police Club are both licensed and offer some additional social activities. Additionally there are a number of cafes and restaurants, as well as hairdressing salons. The waterfront has undergone some substantial redevelopment, offering play areas for children and outdoor exercise facilities, and is adorned by some modern sculpture, but large areas of untended land still exist that are in need of attention.

The housing in Area 4 consists mostly of large, semi-detached properties, with nearly full occupancy and in good repair. There are a number of newer housing developments being built in the area towards the waterfront, but it is not clear what the level of occupancy is here. In general it would seem that the properties to the west of Aigburth Road are somewhat larger than those to the east, and are almost certainly more expensive. The area contains a large amount of green spaces compared with many other parts of the city, although new housing is eating into these spaces.

3.4.2. Key informants’ perceptions of the area This description is based on interviews with one of the city councillors for the area, the interim neighbourhood manager and a local resident of more than 20 years.

3.4.3. The neighbourhood In most respects this is an unremarkable area, described as essentially being part of suburbia and home mainly to middle-class professionals who commute to work in the city centre, or elsewhere. There is little sense of this being a defined neighbourhood and it has no real community identity or culture; the councillor, as did the local resident, thought many residents would associate themselves with areas immediately outside of the vicinity, as did the local resident, for example Sefton Park.

Impacts 08 - The Liverpool Model, European Capital of Culture Research Programme www.impacts08.net Impacts 08 | LAS Key Statistics and Mapping | November 2008

3.4.4. Key issues and concerns While anti-social behaviour by young people was an issue for residents, this was no different than other parts of the city and, if anything, was less of a problem than in some areas; it tended to be concentrated around the boundary between Sudley Road and Aigburth Road and on the waterfront at Otterspool. Local people were also concerned about environmental issues, and pressure on parking places caused friction.

The one issue that is arguably distinctive to this area concerns what was described as homosexual activity taking place in Otterspool, with some residents said to be frequent witness to it. One respondent felt that until recently the police had not taken action on this issue, which had gained prominence 10 years previously with the murder of a man in Otterspool.

The neighbourhood manager identified the existence of a single interest group concerned with countering „gay bashing‟ or homophobic behaviour as one of the few areas where she was aware of any local community activity; „neighbourhood watch‟ and an allotment association were the two other single interest groups mentioned. The local resident could think of only one occasion when her neighbours had got involved in any community action; this had been in respect of a Social Services hostel that had been situated in the old Grange Hotel and concerns about associated drug problems, it is now flats. There were no residents‟ associations in the area.

3.4.5. What there is to do in the area? While there are some social amenities locally, and while activities at the cricket club seemed to be increasing, residents predominantly socialise outside of the area, either around Lark Lane, or the city centre. There are few work opportunities in the immediate area and as well as commuting into „town‟, people worked in Speke, Runcorn and Warrington.

3.4.6. Impact of the ECoC The ECoC has not had any appreciable impact on local people, although the local resident was aware of the recent Hub festival in Otterspool through working in the voluntary sector; an important factor is the perception that as it is a middle-class area it is a low priority in terms of promotion or activities targeted at the area. The neighbourhood manager suggested that activists tended to be around regeneration areas and the inner city and that middle-class people were better equipped to “make choices about what they do and don’t engage with”. Poor marketing was singled out as a specific failing by the councillor, who felt that to date “the whole thing has been a missed opportunity.” The local resident also felt promotion of the ECoC had been limited. However, the councillor felt things could change over the next 12 months through better planning and getting the publicity right.

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